KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 11 years after he was wrongfully incarcerated in Costa Rica and later in three state penal facilities after being wrongfully convicted of child molestation against his then stepdaughter, Theodore W. White, Jr. today received a $15.5 million settlement from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, for serious injuries and illnesses suffered while incarcerated. Lee’s Summit is a Jackson County, Missouri, city of approximately 90,000 residents roughly 20 miles southeast of Kansas City, Missouri.
Following today’s settlement payment, White issued the following statement:
“After 13 years of fighting for my constitutional rights this horrible set of events has finally come to a closure.
“One could not ever imagine what my family has had to endure throughout this whole ordeal of false allegations and wrongful imprisonment as a result of my Constitutional rights being ignored by people elected or hired to defend the Constitutional rights of its citizens.
“I was not alone in having to survive prison and four trials as much as my whole family who lived it with me and all they did to help free me. They put everything on the line and I love them for that.
“The city has decided to come to the table and settle this case under the former police chief’s contract with the city. On behalf of me, my family and my counsel, I have now decided to settle my case.
“My hope is that my case will bring about changes in the criminal justice system and cause law enforcement and elected officials to make sure that the Constitutional rights of the citizens they serve will never be ignored. We, as citizens, have to stand up for our rights even when people try and abuse the system to their own benefit.
“This abuse ran rampant in my case and should have never been allowed to happen.
“As citizens of this great country, we have a ‘God Given’ duty to uphold the Constitution and what is stands for in America.
“Sometimes I believe the Constitution is hanging on by a thread and I am so grateful and most thankful for the court system, the Missouri 8th circuit court of Appeals and judges in both state and federal courts, that allowed me to come back through the same system that convicted me and allow me, through my counsel, the opportunity to go through the truth seeking process and have jurors listen to the evidence and ‘stand up’ for what was right and render a just verdict.
“You gave me my life back.
“Thank you all for that.
“Shame on those who knew the truth and did not come forth and God bless those who did come forth and stand up for what was right to help me and my family.
“You are the real heroes.
“I can say that we may have suffered to the point of no return and I can also tell you we never gave up and prevailed against all odds.
“Divine intervention deserves the glory.
“Today, I stand before you a very, very, blessed man and most of all I am happy for my family and for them to be restored for all the sacrifices they have made on my behalf.
“I have been blessed with a great wife and wonderful baby girl who brings great joy in my life.
“Now, after all we have been through, it is time to move on and heal and I am hopeful that the ‘power of words’ will never do to others what they have done to me and my family.
“Although most people will focus on the settlement amount it is important to know that I have learned much from this experience.
“I have had to learn patience, being thankful for what I have, having the endurance to conquer and become a better man.
“My real experience from all this was learning the power of forgiveness and my conversion story.
“I have learned you can forgive and still hold people accountable for their actions.
“There is no room in a person's heart for hate or revenge, so ‘true forgiveness’ was the only way for me to take back control of my life.
“We chose to take the high ground every time.
“This is what I hope everyone will remember and not just about the money.
“Faith, hope and above all love, conquers all things!
“The last thing I want to say today is to my children. I want to tell
all of my children that the door is now open to come back through it to
see me again.”
Today’s statement was made by White at a press conference held in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. White now resides in Utah. Members of the media interested in speaking with White can reach him at 801-268-0158, twhite@americanbenefitsclub.net or via The McCallister Law Firm at 816-931-2229.